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Parts of this tour can be challenging for wheelchairs: grassy lawns have uneven footing, and the Macoun Sunken Garden has a few steps.

Central Experimental Farm

Overview

A popular guide to the Ottawa region leads a walk through a setting that is one of her personal favourites: the Central Experimental Farm.

Description

Photo: The Observatory

I love The Farm, Ottawa's glorious piece of "country in the city." During this tour, we'll discover its picturesque yet functional landscape. I will reveal its history, design, and stories. I warmly invite you to share your tales of life here on the Farm.

Be sure to bring an umbrella in case of rain and wear comfy shoes for walking on grass. Because there is little or no shelter at The Farm, people are advised to wear wide-brimmed hats/sunglasses/sunscreen. Also, you may want to bring water to drink if it's a hot sunny day.

Route

The route I will lead: Starting at the observatory we'll walk (south) on Maple Drive; right onto Winding Lane; return to Maple Drive and walk down to Driveway/Agriculture Museum, then NE to view Macoun Sunken Gardens, then return NW to the heritage Dominion Observatory. See second edition of Katharine's book, Capital Walks, page 282 for a map that gives a clear indication of the route.

About

Katharine Fletcher is a freelance writer and author of several guides to the National Capital Region (Historical Walks: The Gatineau Park Story; Promenades historiques dans le parc de la Gatineau; Capital Walks: Walking Tours of Ottawa; Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region; and, with her husband Eric Fletcher, co-authored Quebec Off the Beaten Path). She writes environment, nature, gardening, and eco-tourism columns and features for such markets as The Ottawa Citizen, Canadian Wildlife, canadianliving.com; canadiangardening.com, Forever Young, Harrowsmith, and Ottawa Interiors. She leads custom tours and offers slide shows and lectures about the human and natural history of Ottawa, Gatineau Park, and the National Capital Region.